IT risks and threats

CONTENTS

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Definition

IT risks and threats encompass the potential dangers to an organization's information systems, including insider threats, external attacks and advanced persistent threats. These include malicious acts designed to corrupt, steal or disrupt data and IT systems, as well as unintentional security breaches caused by employee negligence or system vulnerabilities.

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How it works

IT threats manifest through various attack vectors and vulnerabilities. Internal threats originate from authorized users who either intentionally misuse access or inadvertently expose systems to malware. External threats include viruses, worms, trojan horses, phishing attacks, botnets and physical theft. Threats evolve as cybercriminals develop more sophisticated techniques.

Organizations can identify and mitigate risks through IT asset management (ITAM) systems that provide visibility into infrastructure, application portfolio management (APM) to identify vulnerable applications and continuous security updates.

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Why it matters

Understanding IT risks and threats is critical for protecting business continuity and data security. Internal threats often pose greater risk than external ones because authorized users have direct access to sensitive systems. Unmitigated threats can result in data theft, system compromise, operational disruption, financial loss and regulatory penalties. Proactive risk identification and mitigation through comprehensive asset management, regular security assessments and continuous infrastructure updates significantly reduce organizational vulnerability.

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Related terms

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FAQs

Internal threats originate from authorized users who may intentionally or unintentionally compromise security. External threats come from outside attackers using viruses, phishing or other attack vectors. Internal threats are often more dangerous because authorized users have direct access to sensitive systems and data.

Common threats include phishing attacks (fake emails requesting sensitive information), botnets (infected devices controlled remotely), malware infections, insider threats from disgruntled or careless employees, physical theft of devices and advanced persistent threats from sophisticated attackers.

Organizations can reduce risks by implementing ITAM systems for visibility, using APM to identify vulnerable applications, maintaining updated security patches, conducting regular security training, implementing access controls, monitoring for suspicious activity and maintaining comprehensive incident response plans.